Jul 23, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jose Paixao (7) scores a goal against AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan (16) and defender Simon Kj¾r (24) in the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

soccer

Maignan Named AC Milan’s First Non-Italian Captain Since 1961

French goalkeeper Mike Maignan has been appointed AC Milan’s full-time captain, making history as the first non-Italian to wear the armband in over six decades, Afrosport reports.

🚨 Mike Maignan will be the captain of AC Milan next season, the first non-Italian captain of the club since 1961. 🇫🇷❤️🖤

🗞️ @Gazzetta_it pic.twitter.com/E6BlNsveQR
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) July 23, 2025

He follows in the footsteps of Swedish icon Nils Liedholm, who last captained the Rossoneri in 1961. Liedholm, a club legend, won six trophies as a Milan player — including four Serie A titles — and later returned to coach the team to another Scudetto in the 1978–79 season.

Maignan’s Rise and Milan’s Road to Redemption

Maignan joined Milan from Lille in July 2021 for €15 million and has since made 163 appearances. He played a key role in their 2021–22 Serie A title win and their Supercoppa Italiana triumph.

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The 30-year-old featured in 37 league matches last season, keeping 13 clean sheets. However, Milan endured a disappointing campaign, finishing eighth in Serie A and missing out on European qualification.

With Massimiliano Allegri now taking charge, the Rossoneri are aiming for a reset. Their 2025–26 season begins at home against Cremonese on 23 August.

Arsenal Edge It in Dull Affair Lit Up by Debuts

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s latest pre-season outing ended in a narrow win, but the real talking points came from the names on the teamsheet. The match itself lacked intensity, but was made worthwhile by the debuts of Christian Norgaard — who started — and substitutes Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

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Mikel Arteta also handed senior debuts to 15-year-old academy prospects Max Dowman and centre-back Marli Salmon, the latter already being dubbed the “next William Saliba.”

Despite the win, the teams participated in a post-match shootout, where Arsenal faltered. Martin Odegaard, Reiss Nelson, and Jakub Kiwior had their efforts saved, while Salmon blazed his attempt over the bar.